- Trails are open 24/7 at no charge. Enjoy a Winnie-the-Pooh themed TRAIL TALES Storybook Walk.
What’s Happening: Earth Day
With the sucker run reaching peak, bird migration underway, and frogs filling the spring evenings with their choruses, one could say that at Crossroads at Big Creek, it seems like every day really is Earth Day. But April 22, we really will be celebrating when, in collaboration with our partner organization, the Door County Land Trust, the community can witness “Wisconsin Wildlife Photography with John Van Den Brandt.”
According to the information from the Land Trust, “This will be an unforgettable presentation as John reveals the awe-inspiring creatures that live right in our own backyard. From bald eagles snatching fish in mid-flight to black bears scaling towering trees, you will experience intimate, soul-stirring glimpses of wildlife rarely seen up close.
Along the way, John will share captivating stories from the field and fascinating facts about the animals that make Wisconsin wild and wonderful.”
But nature itself is wild and wonderful, and quite fascinating, especially to pre-school children in the Junior Nature Club. During this week’s class, 3–5-year-old students and their adult companions will visit bridges at this very special time of year. On Thursday at 3:30, school age students will explore what young people can do on for the environment during Nature Investigators during the afterschool program on Thursday.
If the suckers still are running, volunteers and school groups will participate in citizen science projects sponsored by Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, including counting and tagging suckers and while other will be reviewing trail camera records of the wildlife using the creek during this exciting time.
And on Saturday, the Science Saturday theme is mushrooms and lichen, and then in the afternoon, The Door County Mushroom Club will offer its annual Mushroom Day, which, when you think about it, are perfect Earth Day topics.
Mushrooms are the reproductive parts of fungi–nature’s recyclers. Many types of fungi break down dead material and return nutrients to the soil, making new life possible. Underground fungal networks help plants absorb or share water and nutrients, research reveals they act like communication system that keeps ecosystems healthy.
Lichen, a partnership between fungi and algae, because do not tolerate pollution, are important environmental indicators. So, lichen and mushrooms represent ecological interdependence and environmental awareness.
And speaking of environmental awareness, Our Movie Matinee this week will be “Earth Day and Beyond—Gaylord Nelson’s Good Fight,” which explores the history of how Earth Day began and the work Gaylord Nelson did as Wisconsin’s governor to launch a new era of environmental activism.
The arrival of spring ephemeral wildflowers is a spectacular event in Door County for those who love the outdoors look forward to the glorious display carpeting our forests here on the peninsula, heralding a growing season full of beauty in our wild areas.
Our final Earth Day event will be a lecture, sponsored by Door County Master Gardeners Association and Wild Ones-Door Peninsula, featuring distinguished naturalist, educator, and writer Charlotte Lukes who will describe the botanical bounty as she shows us stunning photos from her archives.
Every day really is Earth Day at Crossroads and this week we invite the community to join us in our celebration of this very special planet.
– by Coggin Heeringa, Interpretive Naturalist
For more information, please check out our Crossroads calendar or stop by the Collins Learning Center and pick up a printed calendar. Programs are free and our trails are open 24/7, free of charge, thanks to donors like you!
Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve is located at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. Crossroads is a 501(c)(3) non-profit NGO supported by the community and committed to inspiring stewardship of the environment through education, research, and outdoor experiences. We welcome your support.
Upcoming Activities
